Tuesday, May 28, 2013

So our Both Hands project (http://bothhandsfoundation.org/david-and-kathy-ferguson) is fast approaching. We are very busy getting supplies donated and planning out jobs and people to lead them. This has been a bumpy journey but I am so excited to help out this sweet lady. We have had some frustrating moments since we started. Mrs. Wilson lives in an old mobile home outside of Gladewater. We went to visit her and were heartbroken at the condition of her home. It needed replaced, not repaired. So David got busy calling and before it was said and done we had 3 different newer mobile homes donated to replace hers... the problem... Gladewater city ordinance wont allow us to move in a newer mobile home because she is inside city limits. I get it in most places but she is not in town and her mobile home is surrounded by others. The only way to fight it would be to pay a large fee and get Mrs Wilson involved in the fight. Not possible... we are trying to help her not stress her out... grr... We then approached the Longview builders association because it was suggested by a council member they might be able to help us build her a new small pier and beam house.... we were shocked when all they decided to do was encourage members to donate supplies to habitat for humanity store and we could buy them from them... gee thanks. I was frustrated and heart broken thinking we would have to leave her in her home. I have come to terms with it and we are planning to do everything we can to repair, replace and paint and landscape and clean and and and and.... we have a great group of people helping... but we still need more hands. We have been working to get supplies donated so help us pray.... I know God loves this sweet lady, and she sure loves Him... If you want to join our team please email me...

In other news, our Agency is currently in China visiting orphanages and that means we could be matched with our daughter very soon.....

While writing this email I went to get the mail and we got our fingerprint appointments with USCIS!!!!!! I am beyond excited!!!! It is two weeks away and we are going to investigate the possibility of doing a walk in appointment a week earlier. Say a prayer about it for us... Breathe Kathy.... breathe..... I know God is working... I know we is weaving and the timing couldn't be better... there is beautiful potential for a match...

Friday, May 10, 2013

So apparently I have been holding out on you guys for no reason. I found out since we have preapproval we can post pictures of Elijah. So here goes....

This was our first glimpse at his sweet face.

Then we received these... I just wanna kiss his face!

I have no idea why there are two candles... or why he is showing two fingers, maybe he was confused too lol since he is 4. :)

So there you have it, a face to pray for.... he is gorgeous and I adore him... Keep him and us in your prayers. Pray for a quick process and for all the funds to be raised. Pray that it is easy for him. As far as we know (and just like Ariana) he hasn't been taught sign language. However she has done amazingly well and I believe he will too. I cant wait to give him words so he can have a voice.

Saturday, May 4, 2013

It has been too long since we've had an update... so here goes. Our Homestudy came to us by mail last week... but... the notary's license expired in two months (a no no with China)... sooooo we had to scramble to get it redone and in our hands again. We also decided to double check our other notarized documents we have gathered for our dossier, and in true Ferguson style, we had to have two sets redone. All is well though, we beat the deadline for Show Hope grants for this quarter. YAY! It will be a while before we hear if we will receive one, but it is good to know our paperwork is in. We have sent our USCIS paperwork in (arrived at the PO box Wednesday in Dallas), and we once again have to wait. :) We are hearing it is taking about 60 days right now to get approval. Anyone who knows me knows I don't wait well... I start tearing down walls and tearing out flooring and organizing everything I can get my hands on. :D I have bought a few things for the kids, even thought I don't have exact sizes yet, I know it may mean returns but I needed something I could but my hands on. We have been working on the house, and have walls up and insulation in the new room. It is slow going for the rest of the remodel, as we are pouring all "extra" funds into bringing our babies home (so if you haven't gotten an invite to my house lately, now you know why). I have been doing pretty well this time not letting the dollar signs get to me. I guess because God brought us through bringing our first adopted princess home. So I know He is faithful and I know He loves adoption. However... I had a rough day on Thursday, many things came into play that emotionally just pushed me over the edge. I felt a sense of panic over the amount of money we still have to pay. The struggle to fund raise gets to me sometimes, and I feel like a beggar. Other times I am so full of faith and I see clearly. In those times I plan well and hope and believe the best will come from each fund raiser. I can see that I am a part of a bigger picture God is painting. It is times like Thursday though that I feel very alone, and very small. Thankfully, it was a Thursday, and I was making my regular trip to Dallas for the princess's speech therapy. I had plenty of time to talk to God and listen to Christian radio... :)

Many of you know my Destin is graduating in a month... my baby boy is all grown up. So we are busy with lots of senior stuff (expensive things... whatever were we thinking starting an adoption process during senior year? lol) It also brings so many emotions. I am so proud of him, he is an amazing young man, with a beautiful heart who loves God with all he is. I cant wait to see where God is going to take him. Graduation is also bringing our Ashlyn home!!! I cannot wait to see her, It has been 9 months since I have been able to hug her. Ariana is not going to let Ash go back home.

No update on our baby girl (Eva) yet, we have our sweet Elijah's pictures and we pray for them both. Please keep us in your prayers, as we work and fund raise and do all we can to bring two more treasures into our family. If you want to donate there are 3 ways to do so right now. There is a link on the top right of this page for our both hands project (many of you received a letter about this), these donations are tax deductible, and I also have a paypal link that come directly to us. You can also send me message requesting an address if you would like. We are planning our next fund raiser and will hopefully have a matching grant set up for that one.

I cannot thank you all enough for your love, prayers and support. I do not have a list of specific donations that were given at our benefit concert (since they went through the church), so I know I said this before but if you sent a donation, I hope you know we are very, very thankful!! I am sorry I couldn't thank everyone individually who gave. God weaves so many lives together during adoption that may never have connected before, and each and every one is precious to us. We love you...

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About Me

We are the Ferguson family, we are on a journey through the world of adoption and orphan care. We are learning and growing everyday. We have six amazing children Ashlyn, Destin , Ariana, Elijah Aubrey and Eva. We have another sweet boy in our family, but cannot share much about him yet :) This blog was designed as a place to share information about our journey. We would love for you to follow us, and maybe you to will find you are called to bring home your own little miracle.

My Babies...

Priceless treasures

Orphan Scriptures

Deuteronomy 10:18 He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing amoung you, giving them food and clothing.

Deuteronomy 24:19-22 When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this.

Deuteronomy 26:12 & 13 When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied. Then say to the LORD your God: "I have removed from my house the sacred portion and have given it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, according to all you commanded. I have not turned aside from your commands nor have I forgotten any of them.

Deuteronomy 27:19 Cursed is the man who withholds justice from the alien, the fatherless or the widow." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"

Ephesians 1:4-6 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

Isaiah 1:17 learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. [fn] Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.

James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after the orphan and widow in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Jeremiah 22:3 This is what the LORD says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of his oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the alien, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place.

John 14:18 I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you

Psalm 10:14 But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.

Psalm 10:17&18 You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.

Psalm 146:9 The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

Psalm 68: 5&6 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.

Psalm 82:3 Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.

Zechariah 7:10 Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.'